Our simple guide categorizes the best and worst Subaru Impreza years from 2002 to the latest model.
Subaru Impreza enthusiasts, buckle up! Taking a deep dive into this iconic compact car is what we’re about to do. With this no-nonsense guide, we’ll uncover the gems and duds of each Impreza generation.
Based on information from the big guns – NHTSA, Kelley Blue Book, and Edmunds – we’ve determined which Impreza years offer the most value.
We won’t stop there. Besides owner-reported reliability and safety ratings, we’ll explore those vexing annual maintenance costs.
What Impreza year should you buy and what should you avoid?
Start the engine and let’s go!
Subaru Impreza Generations
A blend of practicality and sportiness made the Subaru Impreza a hit in the early 1990s. Known for its symmetrical all-wheel drive and powerful boxer engine, this compact car quickly became a fan favorite.
Would you like to see the evolution of the Impreza in a nutshell? Take a look at this:
Generation | Years |
2nd generation (GD/GG) | 2002-2007 |
3rd generation (GE/GH/GV/GR) | 2008-2011 |
4th generation (GJ/GP) | 2012-2016 |
5th generation (GK/GT) | 2017-Present |
Here’s the deal: There have been some substantial changes with each generation. You might find these generational differences helpful if you’re considering joining the Impreza club or just curious about its history.
Subaru Impreza Best, Neutral, and Worst Years
What are the ways to tell the difference between Impreza years and others? The following factors make up our toolkit:
We’ve broken down the best, neutral, and worst Impreza years into three categories:
Generation | Best Years | Neutral Years | Worst Years |
2nd generation (GD/GG) | 2005 | 20062007 | 200220032004 |
3rd generation (GE/GH/GV/GR) | 20102011 | N/A | 20082009 |
4th generation (GJ/GP) | 201420152016 | N/A | 20122013 |
5th generation (GK/GT) | 2021202220232024 | 2020 | 201720182019 |
Imprezas sold under the “Neutral Years” brand are mid-range vehicles. Just adequate all-rounders – nothing noteworthy or terrible.
NHTSA recalls, however, should be watched out for. A bunch of them can sink a car’s dependability score faster than you can say “Check Engine Light.”
Let’s dig into what makes each year tick and see what makes it tick. Everything from the best to the worst – we’ve got it all covered. Are you ready?
Come on, let’s go!
Best & Worst Years for Subaru Impreza 2nd Generation (2002-2007)
Upon its release in 2002, the second-gen Impreza made a big splash! We were introduced to the iconic Impreza WRX and WRX STI variants during this generation. There were stars in it, as well as problematic sheep, like any family.
The Best Years: 2005
It was in 2005 that the Impreza really hit its stride. The following are the reasons:
The vehicle gets 15 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway, making it a hit with both speed demons and commuters.
The Neutral Years: 2006, 2007
Neither the 2006 nor 2007 Imprezas rocked the boat, but neither did they sink it. Subaru avoided reinventing the wheel by refining existing systems instead. They offer a reliable ride without making any significant changes from the 2005 Impreza.
The Worst Years: 2002, 2003, 2004
Among the creatures captured by this generation’s early risers are:
Here’s the twist: despite these stumbles, WRX models from this era continue to attract a loyal following. What a surprise!
Do you want to learn more?
NHTSA Subaru Impreza recalls and complaints for 2002, 2003, and 2004.
Best & Worst Years for Subaru Impreza 3rd Generation (2008-2014)
Subaru’s third-generation Impreza was its big-league debut. Performance, safety, and tech were all combined to entice the mainstream market. Some years were better than others.
NOTE
The average number of recalls per model year for this generation was 15. Do yourself a favor and run the VIN of one of these before you buy it to make sure all the recalled parts have been addressed.
The Best Years: 2010, 2011
Subaru’s kinks had been ironed out by 2010:
The Worst Years: 2008, 2009
In the early days of the third generation, the models stumbled:
Best & Worst Years for Subaru Impreza 4th Generation (2012-2016)
Subaru’s fourth-generation Impreza brought a fresh design language and refined powertrains to the market. There were, however, some years that shone brighter than others.
The Best Years: 2014, 2015, 2016
In these years, we saw the best of the best:
The Worst Years: 2012, 2013
Initially, the fourth-gen models had some teething problems:
Want to know more?
Subaru Impreza recalls and complaints from 2012 and 2013.
Best & Worst Years for Subaru Impreza 5th Generation (2017-2024)
With its blend of rally heritage and modern design, the fifth-generation Subaru Impreza was Subaru’s love letter to tech-savvy drivers. Heads up: Subaru hasn’t quite cracked the windshield issue with these models as of yet.
The Best Years: 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
The Impreza was really at its peak during these years:
The Neutral Years: 2020
A middle child of the fifth generation, the 2020 Impreza wasn’t great, not bad, just… there. Several enhancements were brought forward from earlier years, but certain quirks remained.
The Worst Years: 2017, 2018, 2019
Preliminary fifth-generation models failed to impress:
Are you looking for the subtle points?
NHTSA recalls and complaints for the 2017 Subaru Impreza, 2018 Subaru Impreza, and 2019 Subaru Impreza.
Subaru Impreza Average Resale Value
Are you wondering how well the Impreza holds its value? Here’s what you need to know:
- Best & Worst Subaru Outback Years & Year To Avoid
- Best & Worst Subaru Forester Years | Years To Avoid
Conclusion
That’s all, folks! The Impreza of some years is clearly better than the Impreza of others. Research your options and choose a model year that fits your needs perfectly.
Let’s hear from you! Have you driven any Subaru Impreza epochs?
What was the efficiency and reliability of the system?
Feel free to leave a comment below – we’re all on the lookout!